UAE Eyes Manganese Refinery, Mining Industrial Zone in Gabon

AFRICAN BUSINESS AND ECONOMYAugust 19, 2025 at 2:17 PM UTC

TLDR

Gabon and the United Arab Emirates are advancing plans for new industrial cooperation
The proposal was discussed during an August 16 meeting in Libreville between Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and Emirati Minister of Foreign Trade
The Emirati plan aligns with President Nguema’s agenda to make value-added mining central to Gabon’s economic strategy

Gabon and the United Arab Emirates are advancing plans for new industrial cooperation, with the Gulf nation expressing interest in building a manganese refinery and developing a mining industrial zone in the Central African country.

The proposal was discussed during an August 16 meeting in Libreville between Gabon’s President Brice Clotaire Oligui Nguema and Emirati Minister of Foreign Trade Dr. Thani Bin Ahmed Al Zeyoudi, according to a statement from the presidency.

As the world’s second-largest manganese producer, Gabon sees downstream processing as a way to capture more value, create skilled jobs, and strengthen its position in global metals markets. The Emirati plan aligns with President Nguema’s agenda to make value-added mining central to Gabon’s economic strategy.

The industrial zone would cluster processing plants, logistics, and related services, creating an ecosystem for investors. The UAE also signaled interest in broader cooperation, spanning oil, gas, renewable energy, rail infrastructure, and hospitality projects.

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Key Takeaways

Gabon has long depended on oil, but manganese and other minerals are emerging as anchors for diversification. By tapping Emirati capital and industrial expertise, Libreville hopes to accelerate its transformation into a regional mining and processing hub. The UAE’s involvement offers Gabon more than financing: it signals international credibility and could unlock technologies and infrastructure critical for industrialization. If successful, the refinery and industrial zone would reduce Gabon’s reliance on exporting raw ore, enabling more downstream revenue capture. Broader cooperation across energy, transport, and tourism also reflects Gabon’s ambition to attract long-term investors and build resilience against commodity volatility. For the UAE, the partnership expands its footprint in Africa’s strategic raw materials and trade routes, reinforcing its role as a global industrial investor.

Economy

Gabon

UAE

Mining

Refinery